Singer and now actress Katharine McPhee is enjoying life as an "American Idol" alum. Since finishing season 5 as the runner-up, McPhee has sold more than 400,000 albums, and she's launched an acting career.

On NBC's freshman series "Smash," she plays wannabe Broadway star Karen Cartwright, who has the technical training to make it on stage but learns that the off-stage drama might stand in her way.

She recently sat down with "Showbiz Tonight's" Kareen Wynter to talk about life on set, her work with the non-profit group Malaria No More, and if she'd be good at judging an "Idol"-esque competition.

Katharine McPhee: I'd be too mean

Katharine McPhee talks to Showbiz Tonight's Kareen Wynter about watching the new singing competitions.McPhee tells CNN she keeps up with what's going on with the latest talent shows on TV. Listen to why she thinks she might not make the best judge.

McPhee: You can make a difference

Singer and actress Katharine McPhee talks about the importance of being involved in helping others.McPhee and her husband work with the non-profit group Malaria No More, which works to make sure that every family in Africa has ready access to the tools they need to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria. Here she explains how one person can approach helping to solve such a huge problem.

'Smash' made me a morning person

Singer and actress Katharine McPhee tells CNN why working on the NBC show "Smash" makes it easy to get up in the morning.Katharine McPhee tells Showbiz Tonight's Kareen Wynter that loving what she does and the people she works with makes it much easier to make it to the set of "Smash" early in the morning.

There's also the problem of work permits. Lohan's legal troubles delayed her from getting a permit to work in Canada until hours after her court appearance on Thursday. Officials have granted her a permit to work in Toronto, where she'll film her role as Elizabeth Taylor in the Lifetime TV movie "Liz and Dick."

It's all about taking care of business of one sort or another on "Parenthood" this week.

Crosby and Adam were getting ready to be interviewed about The Luncheonette. Crosby's part of the interview seemed to go very well. When he stepped out to grab one of his guitars, the reporter talked to Adam about how he got involved in the business. He told the story of losing his job and Crosby coming to him with the idea about the studio just when he needed it.

Turns out the reporter found that angle more interesting, and Adam ended up on the cover...with no mention of Crosby.

On Tuesday night's return, the Braverman clan packed up for a family road trip.

Zeek has decided the entire family needs to go see his mother, whom he hasn't mentioned since the series began. He apparently has issues with Grandma Blanche, but decides to visit after she's fallen and injured herself. I can't imagine Zeek leading a caravan of Bravermans all over California without there being some sort of blow-up, or four.

Let's start with the awkward. Remember a few weeks ago, when someone at Drew's school posted a picture of Sarah kissing Mr. Cyr on the web, and how badly he took that? This week, he walked in on the two of them having sex.